Thursday, January 15, 2026

119.8

I did start on antibiotics for this sinus infection yesterday. Plus I have steroids and I bought Sudafed and mucinex to bring with me. I can't believe this thing has lasted more than 3 weeks now.

We got all packed yesterday. We are ready to go and our driver just texted that he is here already. It is POURING out! Good time to get out of dodge.

More later possibly.

Have a thirsty Thursday!

201.2 same

Liz, have a wonderful cruise!!!!

Diamond D., so happy that your mom's service went well. How wonderful that your son stayed with his grandfather last night! You raised a couple of good ones! I don't blame you one bit for being worried about your daughter at the airport today. I do my level best to keep politics away from my conversations here, but to me this is way beyond politics. The ICE situation is SCARY! I am glad my mother is not alive. It would be awful for her to have to live through another reign like the one during her childhood. I'm sure the events of today would be triggering for her. In 1991 I helped my parents evacuate during the Oakland Hills fire. My mom turned into a 14 year old girl losing her home all over again. It was brutal to see the trauma she suffered at the end of WWII come back and haunt her almost 50 years later.

I had a bit of a down feeling day yesterday. I was having my first "Why did I do this to myself?" feelings about the surgery. The beard skin behind my ears really bothers me and makes me feel "freakish". I know this will pass and I will manage it, but still.... I stopped in at the grocery store quickly last night after my brother and I picked up some take out Thai for dinner. I was far too self conscious in the check out line. I guess the scars are still far too obvious for me to feel comfortable in public. Guess I will stay sequestered another week or so.

Saw the Jane Pauly interview with Oprah on YouTube yesterday. Was very nice. I liked her honesty about her weight issues over time. Interestingly, she also has significant "landmark" weights. For example she is currently at the same weight she was when she ran a marathon back in the 80s or 90s. I, too, have weights that mark significant times in my life. I'm guessing most of us here, do, too?

I also watched a great YouTube video done by a medical pathologist about GLP-1 and GIP medicines. It was about how and why they work and also his non negotiable requirements while on the meds. Here is the link if anyone is interested: I'm a Pathologist:The Biological Cost of Ozempic and Mounjaro It's a long video, but hands down best one I've watched.

Have a great day, peeps!

I agree, I don't like to get political here either, but I am still scared. DD made it home without incident. Now I am wondering how it will go for two old folks on Monday, who are traveling to a country who has been a good friend in South America, but seemingly not anymore. First there is the 50% tariff on Brazilian imports because our president didn't like what this soverign nation decided in their own courts. Then the Venezuela invasion. Now Brazil is on a list of countries that can no longer apply for an immigrant visa. Will we be regarded suspiciously by our own government because we want to go to the beach and hang out with some life long friends? Who knows.

Regarding the Facelift, I think your feelings are very normal. I have never had a haircut where I wasn't unhappy about something for the first few hours, then settled down and realized it's actually what I wanted. I would think having something MUCH more profound procedure like surgery would maximize these what did I do moments. You are absolutely not freakish. When is your next check up? I would think they would be prepared with some solutions for an issue most male surgery patients will have. Or maybe call them? You deserve some reassurance.

120.2

Brrrrrr, it is cold here and going to get colder! I?ll have to cover my herb garden up tonight! The panhandle has a chance of getting snow! The good thing here is that the cold snaps don?t last!

No water aerobics today but I did phone in to my Bible study. I enjoy it but it just isn?t the same as being there!

DH and I did some more grocery shopping to have sides to go with all the protein we bought at Costco the other day. We also ground a bunch of it up for the dogs. They are spoiled!

Tonight is our last Hello Fresh meal and tomorrow I?m making a sausage/mushroom soup!

So glad your Mom?s service went well yesterday DD and that DS and his GF could stay with your Dad. Hope DD?s airport experience was uneventful. Yes, packing for Brazil will be good, actually going even better!

Peps, I wouldn?t be too happy about the beard hair behind the ear either. If it is unavoidable for men getting facelifts, that should at least be disclosed beforehand. I know some women have had problems with pubic hair above the bikini line, that is usually due to poor technique from the surgeon. Someone here suggested getting laser on the hair, that might be a good option for a permanent fix.

Liz, I hope you have a great time on the cruise and don?t pick up yet another illness. Glad you seem well armed with meds!

Greetings all

Yet another day of full sun. Quick check in before I head off to the dreaded dentist for a crown replacement. Have a klonipin in hand for the anxiety. This dentist is actually pretty good and is an asian woman with tiny hands and very concerned about patient comfort. So I just need to get through it. Paula a year ago this dentist told me I needed a butt load of dental work. Today's thing is the last of it. I am trying hard to not need more. Crud.

Well Peps the "middle" phase of healing can be annoying and boring. Hope you can move right along to the next phase.

DD so glad to hear the memorial went well. No doubt a moving and valuable event. Good that your DS and girlfriend are staying a bit. Says lots about the girlfriend being a keeper. Is there a coffee place within walking distance where your Dad could become a regular? The Starbucks here is a regular hand out for retired men. And Good luck with packing.

Liz sorry you are embarking on your cruise with an infection. Ick. Be gone bugs!!!

Yeah the ice stuff in Minneapolis has us all on edge. Awful stuff. We have a niece and nephew in Minn. He went to St. Olaf collage. They are very disturbed by these events. And while part of me wants them to go out and protest the other part wants them to stay home and lay low.

Well I have one hour to get my hair washed and sort of dried before the dentist. I owe it to them to not show up gross, though I do have a new zit on the end of my nose. Looks like the Tinman's nose.

Diane S

Did your niece and nephew stay in Northfield where St. Olaf is located. A super charming city. One of my cousin's daughters lives very near the neighborhood where Renee Good was shot. She had a near miss with a speeding ICE van that ran her off the road last week. She and her husband have decided not to join street protests because they are parents ( a whole other topic of concern, her two oldest are adopted, and are African American boys). They are finding other ways to support their friends and neighbors.

Hi;

Ore niece and nephew are both in Minneapolis. He is a ceramic artist and works out of some clay studio there. His sister went to college at Oxy in Pasadena but has always been very close to her brother since they are very close in age. So she is in Minneapolis also. They both have nice partners but we worry about what kind of world they came of age into and how they can make a future. They are very upset about recent events,

DS

Hey

Just looking at Liz's cruise post and it looks fun. If we don't work something out for Sedona maybe we could consider all doing a cruise together? think on it.

Diane S

Very intriguing idea!!

Liz, I didn't realize you were going on another Windstar Cruise. How delightful! And when you are a returning cruiser, it seems they give you even extra special treatment on top of the standard special treatment. Enjoy!

DD is safely home in Boston, DS and his girlfriend are safely back in Madison. I made the 1 hour trip there and back to get my haircut and colored. It takes a good part of the day. Feeling okay in terms of rest. I was going to let myself sleep until 9, but I woke up at 7:30. I did get close to 9 hours.

I hope my Dad is okay. I'm probably going to wonder this every day from here on out. Not sure if I will call him today, because calling him is kind of difficult. He has trouble answering the phone, and trouble hearing. That doesn't mean I won't call, because how else am I going to know what he's up to, just that I might take a break today. When I've called, I sometimes have to argue with him that I am not a telemarketer, I keep saying: It's your daughter DD calling. One time he hung up on me anyhow LOL. He sw my son this morning, and DB will visit him tomorrow. Our new normal.

I left the job of opening the sympathy cards for my brother to do with him. I thought it would give a purpose to a visit. I'll write the Thank You cards when I get home in February. My brother suggested any memorial money go the Fire and Rescue Unit in my parent's town. Those EMT and firefighters were a literal lifeline for my parents and always treated them with respect and kindness. Both my Dad and I really like this idea.

My eating has been a nightmare. It's no surprise I only want soft, comforting carbs, but I must get back on the protein wagon or there will be no muscle left, and I will be a weak old lady. I'll watch the video Peps posted to inspire me to live right.